Getting Your Car Ready for Winter

It still feels like summer outside, but cold weather is right around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about getting your car ready for winter. There are some maintenance tasks you can do you at home and some things you should have your dealer check in preparation for winter.

You should be getting an oil change about twice a year depending on how many miles you drive, and right before winter is the perfect time to do it. Winter is hard on your vehicle’s fluids, which are much colder and thus move slower, so starting the season with clean multi-grade oil is the way to go.

Check your owner’s manual and make sure you’re up to date on all your scheduled maintenance. You should also check all your fluids and top off the coolant, windshield wiper fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid as needed. Look at your air and fuel filters and replace if they’re very dirty, and get new windshield wipers, especially if they’re squeaking or leaving streaks.

You probably haven’t used your heater and defrost in a few months, so test them to make sure they’re working properly. Check your lights and bulbs for anything that’s dull or out, check your tire pressure, and have your battery and brakes inspected. Regularly check your tire pressure to make sure your tires are still full. Winter is the last time you want these things to give out.

Finally, assemble a winter emergency kit before those fist snowflakes fall to make sure that you’re ready if you were to be snowed in or have a break down.